Bob the Builder

Today we ventured to Chuck E. Cheese, the germiest place on earth. The group of moms that we get together with every Friday thought it would be fun to go somewhere with air conditioning instead of playing outside in the heat. We arrived at 9:30 to beat the lunchtime rush. Nicholas quickly found a Bob the Builder ride, which was a backhoe, that he loved! We bought ten dollars worth of tokens and off we went. For the next hour and a half, he rode the truck and we sang the song. Each time the ride stopped, I tried to coax him into looking around at the rides and fun to be had. He was having none of it. He did learn to say "Token, please" when the ride stopped. After about the hundredth time, he figured out how to put the token in himself. By the time 11:00 rolled around, there were about a million daycare and bible school kids there so I pried the poor baby off the ride. We stopped for an ice cream cone on the way home to make up for having such a mean mom.

A Wild Art Class

Today was the craziest art class we have ever had! There were at least 10 kids with one teacher trying to paint, glue, and create. It was like a nightmare that lasted an entire hour. The first project went bad when there weren't enough shape sponges to go around. Don't worry though, Nicholas is always the first to grab the project materials. We are never without the items we need. Nicholas and the two kids next to him shared their shapes, so things went smoothly in our corner. It wasn't until the tactile table came out that the kids started to grow fangs. I think six kids would be the max for this tiny table so there was plenty of pushing and shoving. Nicholas was the smart one who filled up a measuring cup with noodles and brought them to me to play with. The worst was when the glue project started. Can you believe that for all of those kids there were only five glue sticks? It is true. Glue sticks are Nicholas' favorite thing in the world of art so he wasn't having any part of sharing his. He never glues anything to the paper, he just glues the paper from top to bottom while I stick on the required materials. Finally, it was time for stamps, which we skipped to avoid the madness, and fled through the front door. Maybe some of the new kids will switch to the Tuesday class. Or maybe we will!

Trucks at the Jobsite

Jason took Nicholas to the jobsite Saturday to visit Grandpa. While they were there, Nicholas (and Jason) rode the bulldozer and forklift all around for hours. Nicholas did not want to leave, so Jason just kept riding around all morning. Around 11:00, Nicholas' head started droop. When Jason would slow down, it would pop right back up. So Jason would speed up again. Then his head would slowly droop, and well, I am sure you get the picture. Finally, Jason was worried that Nicholas wasn't just sleepy, that maybe he was suffering from heat exhaustion. So he put the kicking and screaming Nicholas into the truck. To make up for being such a mean dad, Jason took him to McDonald's for lunch. Jason has also taught Nicholas how to say "Buy a dump dump truck." Nicholas repeats this phrase over and over to anyone and everyone who is listening. Jason is especially proud when he says it to Grandpa because I think Jason wants Grandpa to "buy a dump dump truck"!

Boys and Baby Powder

Before I tell this story, I think I should mention that the baby powder was on the book shelf right next to the changing table. I left it there last night after Nicholas' bath. Now, here goes. On Tuesday, my friends Kristyn and Elizabeth come over to scrapbook while our three boys play and I hold the baby. There were two times when things became awfully quiet. The first time Elizabeth went to check and her son and Sebastian were on the changing table. They had figured out how to open a drawer and climb up. The second time Kristyn went to investigate and the boys were back up on the table while Nicholas was on his bed holding out his poopy diaper. The next time it was quiet again, it was my turn to check. As I walk by the family room, I see Sebastian watching TV and I think, OK, at least they aren't on the changing table this time. I walk into to Nicholas' room only to be greeted by a cloud of baby powder with James and Nicholas jumping on the bed. James was whipping the baby powder all around in the air and huge billows of powder were flying everywhere. My first reaction was to laugh because they were such a sight, covered in white powder! I held back the laughter and snatched the baby powder from James. Then I brushed them off and sent them out to play in the other room. Since the room looked like a blizzard had hit it, I just shut the door until everyone left I guess this will teach me to put my things away!

Hurricane Dennis

Hurricane Dennis is lurking beneath Cuba busily deciding which state to hit. We are prepared no matter which way he turns. Nicholas will not need a thing even if we are without power for a week. We are stocked up on juice, juice boxes, water, diapers, wipes, kleenex, snacks, hot dogs, and pb&j. Although we can't believe that there is already a level 4 hurricane out there in July, we will get throught the weekend with Sponge Bob and Bob the Builder playing over and over again. Our flashlights, generator, and canned goods are all piled up just in case. Isn't this supposed to be the Sunshine State?

The Sick Family

It all started with a few meaningless coughs from Nicholas. Then Jason came home on Thursday with a terrible headache. My parents had to suffer through the weekend with three sick visitors who couldn't sleep. Now they will probably end up with the dreaded Bronchitis! All three of us have been to see the Dr. and are taking our antibiotics. Poor Nicholas also has an ear infection. Germs, who needs them?